Wrench.



PATENTED NOV. 5,.1907.

B. R. WARD.

WRENCH. APPLICATION FILED APB.5.1907.

JI rIM V I 2mm i vi in eases 0., WASHINGTGN, o. c.

BRUCE R. WARD, OF FORT KENT, MAINE.

WRENCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 5 1907'.

Application filed April 5.1907. Serial No. 366595.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, BRUCE R. WARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Kent, in the county of Aroostook and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wrenches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to improvements in wrenches and consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and practical wrench having a wedge device for effectively locking the movable jaw at any desired adjustment.

The above and other objects which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, are accomplished as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved wrench; Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the plane indicated by the line 2 2 in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3

is a side elevation of the movable wrench jaw, its shank and its flexible strip or spring.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings comprises a body 1 preferably in the form of an open frame having side bars 2, 3 connected by cross bars 4, 5, 6, the side bar 3 being arranged at an angle to the bar 2. The cross bar 6 forms the inner end of the body and it is provided with a handle '7 and the cross bar 4 is shaped to provide a stationary wrench jaw 8 and has an opening 9 for the reception of the shank 10 of the movable jaw 11 of the wrench and also for the reception of a flexible or pliable strip or spring 12 carried by said jaw 11. The shank 10 and strip 12 project into the open body or frame 1 and slide in the opening 9 as the movable jaw 11 is moved toward and from the stationary jaw 8. For the purpose of locking the movable jaw, I provide a wedge block 13 and arrange it in the body 1 between the strip 12 and adjacent edge of the shank 10. When the wedge 13 is forced outwardly between said parts it will press the shank 10 against the side bar 2 of the frame and the strip 12 against the inclined side bar 3 so that said parts will be effectively locked together. The wedge 13 may be operated in any suitable manner but 1 preferably employ a pivoted lever 14 consisting of a strip of metal bent upon itself into U-forin so as to fit transversely over the body 1 and having the ends of its arms 15 pivoted at 16 upon the side bar 3. The closed end 17 of the lever forms a handle for conveniently operating it and the intermediate portions of its two arms have a loose pivotal connection 18 with the wedge 13 so that as the lever is swung longitudinally of the body l the wedge will be moved forwardly and rear- Wardly to project it between the parts 10, 12 or to retract it from the same.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the Wedge device forms an effective locking means for the movable wrench jaw so that the latter may be quickly adjusted to any position and then securely fastened in such position. The provision of this wedge locking means avoids the necessity of the use of ratchet teeth which are easily damaged and at the same time permits the movable jaw to be locked at any point. The provision of the lever and the mounting of it, as shown, permits the wedge to be conveniently operated by the thumb or one of the fingers of the hand which grasps the handle 7. The peculiar construction of the parts as illustrated enables them to be produced at a small cost and quickly and easily assembled.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A wrench comprising a body carrying a stationary jaw, a movable jaw provided with a shank and a strip to project into and slide in said body and a wedge arranged in said body between said shank and said strip.

2. A wrench comprising a body carrying a stationary jaw, a movable jaw provided with a shank and a strip to project into and slide in said body, a wedge arranged in said body between said shank and said strip, and means for operating said wedge.

A wrench comprising a body carrying a stationary jaw, a movable jaw provided with a shank and a strip to project into and slide in said body, a wedge arranged in said body between said shank and said strip, and a lever for operating said wedge.

l. A wrench comprising a body carrying a stationary body, a movable body provided with a shank and a strip to project into and slide in said body, a wedge arranged in said body between said shank and said strip, and a U- shaped lever passed transversely over said body and having: the ends of its arms pivoted upon the latter and the intermediate portions of its arms pivotally connected to saidwedge.

5. A wrench comprising a body having united side bars, a handle at one end and a stationary jaw at its other end. said jaw having an opening in communication with said body, a movable jaw carrying a shank and a flexible strip to project into and slide in said body and the opening in said stationary jaw, and a'wedge within said body and between said shank and strip to force them into contact with the side bars of said body.

G. A wrench comprising a body having united side bars, a handle at one end and a stationary jaw at its other end, said jaw having an opening in communication with said body, :l movable jaw carrying a shank and a flexible strip to project into and slide in said body and the openingin said stationary jaw, a wedge within said body and between said shank and strip to force them into contact with the side bars of said body, and a pivoted lever for operating said wedge.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atEiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BRUCE R. \VARD. Witnesses:

JAMES T. BRADBURY, GROVER C. BRADBURY. 

